The park may be called Disney California Adventure, but with the new Pixar Pier – which opens to the public on Saturday, June 23, with attractions themed around some of the studio’s biggest hits – some of the last vestiges of Disney’s ode to the Golden State have been drawn over by its modern-day blockbusters.

The transformation of Paradise Pier, which evoked the feeling of the Santa Monica Pier with its games, California Screamin’ roller coaster and Mickey’s Fun Wheel – which originally opened as the non-Disneyfied Sun Wheel – is the biggest revamp of the park since the opening of Cars Land in 2012.

Pixar Pier has been divided into The Incredibles Park, Toy Story Boardwalk, Pixar Promenade and what will become Inside Out Headquarters when it opens in 2019. There’s also the new Lamplight Lounge, an eatery and bar that replaces Ariel’s Grotto and the Cove Bar. The other non-Pixar attractions in the area, including Goofy’s Sky School and the Silly Symphony Swings, will now be known as the Paradise Gardens Park.

The Incredicoaster races past Poultry Palace at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park during a media preview day in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The new Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mr. Incredible offers Jack-Jack a cookie num-num inside a tube on Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park during a media preview day in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Pixar Pier at night at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Nicholas Sandoval, 8, records an intro to a video for his father, Richard Sandoval, to use on his website – hispaniclifestyle.com – during media say at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Edna Mode offers Jack-Jack a cookie num-num as the Incredicoaster pulls in to the station at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park during a media preview day in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Pixar Pier seen from the Pixar Pal-a-round Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num available at a kiosk at the exit to Incredicoaster in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Incredibles merchandise includes and Edna Mode wig and glasses available at Knick’s Knacks gift shop in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Pixar cake pops will be available at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Incredibles merchandise includes a new backpack, character shirt and tank top available at Knick’s Knacks gift shop in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Pixar cake pops will be available at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The waiting area for Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Wall-E Space Race is a new arcade game at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Heinlich’s And Corn Toss is a new arcade game at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New arcade games at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Violet peeks on to a tube on the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster opens June 23 at Disney California Adventure Park, bringing guests the first ride-through attraction in the world to feature characters from Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” Anchoring Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster takes guests on a super adventure with the Parr family to capture the elusive baby Jack-Jack. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster seen from the Pixar Pal-a-round Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Incredicoaster opens June 23 at Disney California Adventure Park, bringing guests the first ride-through attraction in the world to feature characters from Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” Anchoring Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster takes guests on a super adventure with the Parr family to capture the elusive baby Jack-Jack. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Pixar Pier at night at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The cars on the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel feature Pixar characters at Pixar Pier at night at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Drawings hang from the ceiling in the lobby on the Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to Incredicoaster as seen from Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Infinity Fizz – a non-alcoholic “Mocktail” on the drink means at Lamplight Lounge made with Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, apple juice, and Cherry pearls in a glass with dry ice on the bottom so the drink bubbles at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A page from the drink menu at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A rink sits on an Up coaster at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A page from the drink menu at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Incredibles merchandise includes Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible costumes available at Knick’s Knacks gift shop in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Pixar Pier at night at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A page from the drink menu at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A Pixar-themed booth at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jessie’s Critter Carousel is scheduled to open in 2019 at Pixar Pier at night at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Pixar Pier at dusk at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The entrance to Pixar Pier at dusk at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A page from the drink menu at Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Pixar cake pops will be available at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Incredibles merchandise includes a limited edition T-shirt, left, and an annual pass holder exclusive shirt, right, available at Knick’s Knacks gift shop in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

But Pixar Pier hasn’t totally eschewed the California aesthetic. Incredibles Park and the Incredicoaster have a very midcentury modern feel that evokes Palm Springs hip. There are sloping roof lines over the loading area of the Incredicoaster and a starburst clock and stonework inside where the ride dispatcher sits. And on the wall in the boarding area is a brightly colored Shag-like mural of the films’ characters, created by Teddy Newton.

And the archway into Incredibles Park is reminiscent of the space-age Theme Building at LAX. Elliott Rosenbaum, an assistant creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering who worked on Pixar Pier, said that since “The Incredibles” takes place in the 1960s, designers wanted to use that midcentury modern architecture of the family’s home for inspiration and even traveled to Pixar studios to talk with the team on the details.

Also, the new Lamplight Lounge is described as a California gastropub, and Chef John State wants to make sure he gives it that spin.

“Here in California it’s diverse, and we’re very open about enjoying each other’s cultures,” he said. “We don’t miss an opportunity to represent these cultures authentically.”

Diners will taste Korean style spicy chili glaze on the fried chicken sandwich and spiced mango nectar on a pan Asian tuna poke bowl with Japanese edamame and shishito peppers.

The Incredicoaster

The biggest change is that, unlike California Screamin’, the Incredicoaster has a story line. The Parr family (aka The Incredibles) is trying to catch baby Jack-Jack and the ride follows that theme. Most of the story is told in the scream tunnels (the big red tubes over the hills of the ride), which have been enclosed on the inclines, unlike the half-open model of its predecessor.

Rosenbaum said one of the biggest challenges was telling a story on such a fast ride.

“You can’t get into a ton of detail,” he said.

But, with 6,000 feet of track, the Incredicoaster is the longest coaster at the Disneyland Resort and allows for some exposition with its thrills.

The back story, told with posters in the queue and a video in the upper part of the line, explains that the Parr family (Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, kids Violet and Dash and baby Jack-Jack) have been honored by the city of Municiberg with their own coaster. But, Jack-Jack and Edna Mode, the diminutive designer to the superhero stars, aren’t tall enough to ride. Edna is supposed to watch Jack-Jack in the VIP room, but he escapes with his wild superpowers, sending the entire family on a chase after him through the ride.

You don’t need to have seen either of “The Incredibles” films to enjoy the coaster, but it does help give you an understanding of what each character is doing and the story line.

“We don’t want to make you feel like you’re in the movie,” Rosenbaum said.

The launch starts with Dash, Jack-Jack’s speedy older brother, taking off to grab him. As you launch, water cannons fire in a line, giving the illusion of Dash running on the water, which is more clear from the rear rows of the coaster car.

There are also lasers, fire (courtesy of 50 pounds of glitter) and even the smell of cookies on the ride.

The second hill, the tallest on the attraction, has Elastigirl, Jack-Jack’s mom, stretching 53 feet to get him as he turns to go. And it took eight people to put the Mr. Incredible sculpture into place in the second scream tunnel.

Throughout the ride, cool, classic James Bond-esque spy music plays in the cars. It was composed by Michael Giacchino, who scored both films and also wrote original music for the queue area. There are also scenes book-ending the ride with Jack-Jack and Edna that play on the midcentury modern theme.

Lamplight Lounge

For the Lamplight Lounge, State has harked back to a simpler time: the ’70s, ’60s and even the ’50s, with dishes such as deviled eggs and grilled sandwiches.

“Back then, people made time to eat and drink and entertain. We have grilled burgers and a salmon sandwich because typically that’s what someone would do when you came over for dinner.”

He said it’s also about being fun and whimsical, especially when it comes to the doughnuts served in a box.

“Imagine you’re in a meeting, all business and negotiating. But the doughnuts come out and you’re all kids again.”

There is one holdover from the previous spot, though – the Lobster Nachos ($20), with house-made tortilla chips, black beans, pico de gallo, chipotle crema and aged cheddar and Oaxaca cheese sauce.

Pixar Pal-A-Round

The Ferris wheel has ditched Mickey and Goofy and Donald and added characters from Pixar films on its gondolas, including Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out,” Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” and Miguel and Hector from “Coco.”

Rosenbaum said the idea was to explore the friendships featured in so many Pixar films, with “all of the characters just palling around.”

Vanessa Franko is the Digital Director of Entertainment for the Southern California News Group. The lure of palm trees and covering pop culture brought her to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside in 2006. Vanessa has reported on everything from the Palm Springs International Film Festival to the MLB All-Star Game as a reporter, photographer, videographer and on-camera personality. She's won awards for her coverage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and for crime reporting in her home state of Maryland. Vanessa studied multimedia storytelling as a Knight Digital Media Center fellow in Dec. 2011 and has taught college courses in digital journalism. She's seen shows at every major concert venue in Southern California, but most special was when Paul McCartney played the high-desert roadhouse Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown for a couple hundred fans in Oct. 2016. Her album collection numbers in the thousands (including a couple hundred on vinyl) and when she isn't hunting for records, she and her husband like to check out the best in Southern California craft beer and watch sports. She also had a cameo in the 1992 Atlanta Braves highlight film, Lightning Strikes Twice!